BROOK PARK, Ohio -- Despite extremely cold temperatures and swirling snow, family and friends filled city council chambers Dec. 27 to watch new Brook Park Mayor Mike Gammella take the oath of office during a brief ceremony.

It was an evening filled with fellowship and refreshments, not speeches. Some residents in the audience voiced to cleveland.com their hope for a more peaceful city council environment as the new members assume their responsibilities for 2018. The prior council often appeared at odds with each other and former Mayor Tom Coyne. Those disputes led to council meetings commonly lasting two to three hours, and sometimes even longer.

"We've got a lot to do, but this team is going to get it done," Gammella said. "We're going to get this city back on track and get you proud of it."

He emphasized in an interview immediately following his November election win that he is "a uniter, not a divider." Gammella also indicated he will try to find a way to reopen the recreation center swimming pool and continue services to the city's seniors. Being proactive with Ford in pursuing the electric car industry will be one of his priorities as well.